Preparing Future Global Citizens: Reflections on Successes and Challenges in International Exchange Programs Sarah Sanderson Rotary Peace Fellow Rotary District 6290 Conference Traverse City, MI May 1-3, 2015 *WARNING* This session requires active participation *WARNING* This session requires active participation

Agenda for breakout session: Goal: New ideas and inspirations to improve the future of youth international exchange programs Group activity – Example of Pre-Departure orientation activity Current state of international exchange programs My passion: A vision to improve Group activity – Example of Mid / Post - year reflection activity Group discussion / Brainstorm / Questions – Thoughts on / solutions to problems facing the future of international exchange

Group Activity: “Chatter” Example activity for Pre-departure orientation Each person receives an etiquette sheet. Study them carefully and keep them a secret. Context: We are at a networking event at the Rotary International Peace Symposium in Brazil with people from all over the world Get in groups and introduce yourselves. Talk about how the conference is going so far, what you’re looking forward to etc. Remember to talk with each other using the conversational rules described on your etiquette sheets.

Debrief: “Chatter” How did you feel about the exercise? What are some ways you could extend the discussion afterward? Could this be useful to you in your Interact/Rotaract/Youth Exchange programs back home? “Chatter” is a simulation game that asks players to pay attention to the subtleties of communication and to discuss how these influence our perceptions of individuals and groups Objectives: Students will experience the challenge of using and interpreting unfamiliar communication patterns. Students will also identify strategies for successful cross-cultural communication.

A global education International experience is one of the most important components of a 21st century education. Less than 10% of U.S. students study abroad. Globalization is changing the way the world works, and employers are increasingly looking for workers who have international skills and experience. Generation Study Abroad is a new initiative from the Institute of International Education (IIE) to provide funding to double the amount of U.S. college students abroad in five years. How can we prepare these students to be successful abroad?

Recent Conferences on Int’l Exchange Fulbright Enrichment Seminar in Washington D.C. Global Ties “Diplomacy Begins Here” in Detroit "We treat exchanges as a nice thing to do, not a necessity. We've got to change that paradigm...in international relations, what we do matters so much more than what we say.” – Ambassador Lebaron

Ideas to improve international student exchange experiences Modify preparation Grow learner autonomy Exploit technology Encourage peer mentorship Foster reflection Promote student action

Modify preparation Global Language Learning – “Aims to enable students to effectively acquire a foreign language while empowering them with the knowledge, skills, and commitment required by world citizens to solve global problems,” Language educators in Global Education use themes such as peace, conflict resolution, human rights, development, and the environment among others as a basis for instruction and practice and for relevant and important topics that encourage thoughtful discussion and critical thinking in the target language.

Grow learner autonomy

Exploit technology

Encourage peer mentorship

Foster reflection Blogs, journals, video diaries Presentations Monthly reports Classes and groups Mentoring

Promote student action Volunteer community project in host country Presentations in host and home countries Alumni network Social media (#citizendiplomacychallenge) Conferences

Group activity: “That time I felt...” Example activity for Mid/Post-year seminar Think back to the last time you traveled abroad or your last challenging experience in the States. In small groups, each person randomly picks out one word from the adjective hat and one from the scenario hat. The challenge is to recall a time when you have felt that way in the scenario presented. Some pairings will be more intuitive than others (you may be faced with an unusual combination). But that’s the fun of it! Be creative!

Group discussion What are some current challenges for the Rotary Youth Exchange program? Would any of the ideas shared today be useful in future improvements? What additional ideas do you have about the future of international exchange programs?

Questions?

Additional Resources “An education abroad (r)evolution” (betterabroad.org) “Culture Learning: Simulations and Exercises” (carla.umn.edu) “Generation Study Abroad” (iie.org) “Global Ties: At the Center of International Exchange” (globaltiesus.org)